On the second Sunday of September, Canada pays tribute to the older generation: National Grandparents Day is celebrated.
The holiday was invented by housewife Marian McQuade from West Virginia (USA) in 1970, and at first it took root only in this state. But eight years later, an initiative group of American citizens led by Mrs. McQuade achieved their — Grandparents Day became a national celebration. Soon this holiday appeared in Canada.
Usually on this day, families try to pay maximum attention to the older generation; everyone gets together to play old-fashioned board games, look through yellowed photo albums, and listen to stories about the affairs of bygone days.
On this day, small and adult grandchildren congratulate their grandparents on their holiday, give them flowers and gifts and always come to visit. Grandmothers happily greet their grandchildren and, as a rule, treat them to sweet pies. On this day, grandfathers also strive to pamper their grandchildren in some special way, spend the day with them, attract them to participate in a family picnic, and pass on their skills in preparing barbecues to them.
Picnic on the occasion of Grandparents' Day — is a traditional event organized by Canadians in the courtyard of their own home in any weather. If the weather this festive September weekend is especially good, people take advantage of every opportunity to go somewhere. Some travel a day within a couple of hours to return home in the evening, while others load a tent and sleeping bags into the car, stock up on food and drive for several days if possible.